September 17 2024 was one of the best days of my life. It was the day I was named Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Champion at the Business Travel People Awards.

There are so many reasons why this meant so much.

Although I’ve been part of victorious teams before, it’s the first time personally I’ve won anything – not even an egg-and-spoon race when I was at school.

Secondly – and I know this sounds convenient, since it’s organised by The Business Travel Magazine – but I swear there are no other awards where I would rather be a winner. The People Awards is hands-down my favourite event of the year: not just the most fun but how it recognises and celebrates talent in such a warm, genuine and meaningful way.

What really made this award special is that it shows our sector is taking neurodiversity seriously, both for the travellers we look after and in our own workforces. 

“The People Awards is hands-down my favourite event of the year”

It was at this event last year where I stood up and spoke publicly for the first time about my mid-life diagnosis of ADHD. Growing up, I explained to fellow guests, I didn’t always understand why my brain worked differently and often felt I was fighting a system not built for people like me.

The effect of that speech was immediate and dramatic. A queue of people told me afterwards about their spouses, children and other loved ones struggling to find work, practical support or even just understanding because they are neurodiverse.

DE&I comes in many forms, including gender, sexuality and mobility. No one should be discriminated against because of who they are. Sometimes we forget that some disabilities are visible on the outside and some on the inside. I reckon I touched a nerve speaking up for those whose difference can’t be seen on the surface.

“No one should be discriminated against because of who they are”

I had just wanted to tell my story, but since that evening, I have increasingly found myself an unofficial spokesperson for workplace neurodiversity. One travel professional’s daughter, who is dyslexic, invited me on to her podcast. Another company asked me to be its neurodiversity ambassador.

But all that fine talk, and indeed my award, counts for nothing unless we get genuine change. At TripStax, I have a fantastic statistician working in my data team. He has a Masters degree but couldn’t get a job elsewhere because he’s autistic. We’re also looking to bring in a lad with ADHD who until now hasn’t worked outside his family business. 

Now I hope more travel businesses will take the leap, not because it ticks a box, but because it’s “right” for your business and the individual. Our differences are our strengths, and there is a huge talent pool you can truly benefit from. Take that leap, and next year you could be the People Awards diversity champion.

Scott Wylie is Chief Technology Officer at TripStax